May not be possible to keep schools open if Covid cases surge: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today directed the education ministry to continue online learning programmes if there is a rise in Covid-19 infections.

"Since it will not be possible to keep schools open in case of a fresh surge of Covid-19, measures will have to be taken to take online teaching to every house," she said.

The premier was addressing the SSC and equivalent exam results launching and free textbook distribution ceremony at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, joining virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban in Dhaka.

Hasina also reiterated her call to the countrymen to receive Covid-19 jabs, directing the authorities concerned to make the vaccination campaign at grassroots level available through community clinics.

"We have to take measures so that no one is infected (with coronavirus) again and none remains beyond vaccination coverage," she said, adding, "Everyone has to take Covid-19 jab."

She also asked all concerned to make sure that students and their guardians get vaccines.

Mentioning that her government has laid emphasis on two issues -- nutrition and mental health awareness, she said they have initiated the meal at school programme and simultaneously, parents or guardians have to pay attention to nutrition of their kids.